Friday, April 25, 2008

Totally Random Blog Bits

I did "Blog Bits Saturday" for a while, but that can fell by the way. But I do have some links to share, some knitting related, some not.

Well, duh!

On Mental Floss one of the writers asks what's the big deal about turning 30. Well, duh! Where have you been? (PS - If you're tuning in late, and you don't know what I'm talking about, read this.)

I have stalled on reading Facing 30. Basically, it's too depressing and emotional. But I'll go back to it when I'm ready. I'm glad I found it though. It helped me understand a lot of my feelings.

Just Plain Wrong

I came across the Obesity=Suicide campaign recently, and it's one of the most troubling things I've seen in a long time. It's actually a fake ad. But it's still troublesome. Here is why:

It trivializes the real issue of suicide. It's been said many times to many people in trouble: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The extreme feelings and situations that drive someone to "end it all" need to be taken seriously. It's a mistake you can't undo, and decisive action must be taken to prevent it.

Weight loss, on the other hand, is an ongoing battle of moderation and change. It's a marathon, not a race. This ad seems to imply that the situation is as dire as a person standing on a ledge.

Why is the woman thin? These ads are about obesity. One features a man with a prominent double chin, and another features a man's large belly. But the woman who "overdosed" on candy is thin. Why? Is having a have fat woman, even in an ad about obesity, so disgusting that it can't be shown? I don't agree with these ads, but if your going to talk about fat people, show people who are actually fat.

I won't get started on obesity in general. This is a very touchy and personally subject for me. But I will say that I believe our society's desire for thinness has some how clouded our view of obesity's actual health implications. (Recommended Reading: Losing It: False Hopes and Fat Profits in the Diet Industry)

1 comment:

I find the candy overdose ad incredibly offensive. The one with butter strapped to the guy was almost funny, though. Maybe because suicide bombing doesn't cut so close to home for most of us?

Here's one of a series of ads that are all over San Francisco right now.http://www.adcouncil.org/files/obesity_bikini_ooh.jpgSome of them sort of squick me out*, but the message in the text is a healthy one.

*I was raised in an obese family. I have complicated feelings about fat.